[The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant 10] • The Last Dark

by R., Donaldson, Stephen

“The Last Dark” by Stephen R. Donaldson is the concluding volume of “The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant,” bringing the epic fantasy saga to a climactic end. The story follows Thomas Covenant and Linden Avery as they confront the ultimate destruction of the Land, battling cosmic forces and personal demons. Themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the struggle between despair and hope are central to the narrative. Donaldson’s intricate world-building and morally complex characters culminate in a resolution that tests the limits of courage and love. This finale is significant for its philosophical depth and emotional intensity, marking a definitive close to a landmark series in fantasy literature.

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Chapter 24: Part Two — 11. Of My Deeper Purpose

by R., Donaldson, Stephen

Jeremiah, left alone in the darkness of Mount Thunder, grapples with overwhelming anger and despair as Covenant and Linden depart, leaving him with the impossible task of saving the Earth. Clutching the Staff of Law, he feels the tremors of the Worm’s destruction and struggles to believe he isn’t out of time. His anger is directed not only at Covenant and Linden for abandoning him but also at himself for feeling powerless and childish. He resents being burdened with expectations he feels incapable of fulfilling, haunted by memories of his past failures and the weight of his current helplessness.

Despite possessing the Staff of Law, Jeremiah feels taunted by its potential, emphasizing his inability to wield it effectively. He reflects bitterly on his situation, comparing it to being possessed by the croyel, where he was at least numb to his helplessness. Now, he is acutely aware of his limitations, unable to even provide light or comfort to his wounded companions, the Giants and Haruchai. The Staff’s power feels like a cruel reminder of his inadequacy, and he questions the purpose of Covenant’s plan, doubting it can stop the Worm’s inevitable destruction.

Rime Coldspray, weakened and weary, requests Jeremiah to summon light to ease their spirits, but he admits his failure to harness the Staff’s power. His frustration boils over as he dismisses her plea, sarcastically warning of the impending collapse around them. The Giants, despite their exhaustion, try to reassure him, expressing faith in Covenant and Linden’s ability to succeed. Jeremiah, however, remains consumed by bitterness, convinced their efforts are futile and that the world is already doomed.

The chapter closes with Jeremiah sinking deeper into his despair, unable to reconcile his anger with the faint hope offered by his companions. The darkness of the cave mirrors his inner turmoil, and he feels utterly alone, even as Coldspray and the Haruchai cling to their belief in Covenant’s mission. Jeremiah’s final thoughts underscore his sense of betrayal and futility, leaving him isolated in the face of the world’s impending end.

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FAQs

1. How does Jeremiah’s emotional state evolve throughout the chapter, and what key factors contribute to his anger and sense of futility?

Answer:
Jeremiah’s emotional state is marked by escalating anger and despair. Initially, he feels abandoned by Covenant and Linden, who have left him with the impossible burden of saving the Earth. His anger stems from their expectations, his perceived inadequacies, and his unresolved trauma from past failures (e.g., failing to save his sisters). He also directs anger inward, hating his “childishness” and feeling useless despite possessing the Staff of Law. The chapter highlights his internal conflict: he resents being asked to perform miracles yet recognizes his own potential. The trembling earth and collapsing Skyweir amplify his hopelessness, mirroring his emotional turmoil. His outbursts to Coldspray and Grueburn reveal his isolation and frustration with their unwavering faith in Covenant, which contrasts sharply with his own disillusionment.

2. Analyze the symbolic significance of darkness in the chapter. How does it reflect Jeremiah’s internal struggle and the broader themes of the narrative?

Answer:
Darkness operates on both literal and metaphorical levels. Literally, Jeremiah sits in “absolute blackness” in the cave, unable to summon light despite having the Staff of Law. This mirrors his inner darkness—his feelings of powerlessness, anger, and existential doubt. The Staff’s failure to produce light symbolizes his inability to reconcile his potential with his self-perceived limitations. Broader themes of impending doom (the Worm’s destruction, the collapsing Arch) are underscored by the darkness, representing the Land’s fading hope. Coldspray’s request for light contrasts with Jeremiah’s resignation, emphasizing the tension between faith and despair. The darkness thus becomes a unifying motif for Jeremiah’s personal crisis and the world’s impending end.

3. What role does the Staff of Law play in Jeremiah’s character arc in this chapter, and how does it highlight his internal conflict?

Answer:
The Staff of Law embodies both Jeremiah’s potential and his inadequacy. Initially, it represents hope—a tool to wield Earthpower and aid his allies. However, his attempts to use it fail, stripping away his “denials and defenses” and exposing his self-doubt. The Staff’s refusal to respond underscores his internalized belief that he is unchanged from the “boy who couldn’t save his sisters.” His frustration peaks when he slams the Staff onto his thighs, a physical manifestation of his anger at being tasked with saving the world. The Staff’s inertness taunts him, emphasizing the gap between his responsibilities and his self-worth. This conflict drives his bitter exchanges with Coldspray and his nihilistic musings about Roger’s “cruel joke” of becoming a god.

4. Compare and contrast the attitudes of Jeremiah and the Giants (Coldspray and Grueburn) toward Covenant’s mission. What does this reveal about their respective worldviews?

Answer:
Jeremiah views Covenant’s mission with cynicism, believing they are “doomed” and that Covenant is “wasting his time.” His anger and trauma color his perspective, leading him to dismiss hope as naivety. In contrast, Coldspray and Grueburn, despite their exhaustion, cling to faith in Covenant. Coldspray explicitly states she will “trust that Linden Giantfriend and Covenant Timewarden will exceed every expectation,” echoing the Haruchai’s unwavering certainty. This contrast highlights Jeremiah’s isolation in his despair, while the Giants exemplify resilience through collective belief. Their request for light—a symbolic gesture of hope—further contrasts with Jeremiah’s refusal to provide it, underscoring the divide between his individualism and their communal fortitude.

5. How does the chapter use physical and environmental decay (e.g., the trembling earth, collapsing Skyweir) to parallel Jeremiah’s psychological state?

Answer:
The chapter’s environmental decay mirrors Jeremiah’s mental collapse. The “subtle trembling of the stone” and the distant collapse of Melenkurion Skyweir reflect his instability and fear of impending doom. He interprets these phenomena as signs of inevitable failure, just as he sees himself as fundamentally inadequate. The “fever” in Mount Thunder’s gutrock parallels his own simmering anger, while the “pall across the Land’s last dusk” symbolizes his lost hope. His warning to the Giants about the shaking floor—a literal threat—doubles as a metaphor for his crumbling resolve. The environment thus externalizes his psyche, reinforcing the theme that personal and global survival are intertwined in the narrative’s climax.

Quotes

1. “He was angry; too angry to speak or grieve. Linden and Covenant had left him with an impossible burden, as if he were somehow responsible for saving the Earth. As if he were not still the same boy who had been too small to rescue his sisters from Lord Foul’s bonfire.”

This quote captures Jeremiah’s central emotional conflict—his rage at being thrust into a role he feels unworthy of, haunted by past failures. It underscores the chapter’s theme of grappling with impossible expectations and unresolved trauma.

2. “Covenant and Linden might as well have asked Jeremiah to remake the world.”

A pivotal moment of despair, this line crystallizes Jeremiah’s sense of futility. It reflects the chapter’s exploration of powerlessness in the face of apocalyptic stakes, contrasting his perceived inadequacy with the cosmic scale of the Worm’s threat.

3. “The darkness of the cave and the darkness inside him mirrored each other. He could not distinguish between them.”

This poetic duality exemplifies the chapter’s psychological depth, merging the literal darkness of Mount Thunder with Jeremiah’s inner turmoil. It highlights how the external crisis reflects his fractured sense of self.

4. “But the Staff’s possibilities only taunted him. They emphasized all of the things that he could not do.”

A key insight into Jeremiah’s relationship with power—despite wielding the Staff of Law, he feels mocked by his limitations. This quote underscores the chapter’s tension between potential and paralysis.

5. “Maybe Roger had the right idea. Maybe we should all try to become gods.”

This bitter, ironic thought reveals Jeremiah’s nihilistic spiral. It represents both a thematic climax (questioning the value of struggle against inevitability) and a turning point in his internal conflict.

Quotes

1. “He was angry; too angry to speak or grieve. Linden and Covenant had left him with an impossible burden, as if he were somehow responsible for saving the Earth. As if he were not still the same boy who had been too small to rescue his sisters from Lord Foul’s bonfire.”

This quote captures Jeremiah’s central emotional conflict—his rage at being thrust into a role he feels unworthy of, haunted by past failures. It underscores the chapter’s theme of grappling with impossible expectations and unresolved trauma.

2. “Covenant and Linden might as well have asked Jeremiah to remake the world.”

A pivotal moment of despair, this line crystallizes Jeremiah’s sense of futility. It reflects the chapter’s exploration of powerlessness in the face of apocalyptic stakes, contrasting his perceived inadequacy with the cosmic scale of the Worm’s threat.

3. “The darkness of the cave and the darkness inside him mirrored each other. He could not distinguish between them.”

This poetic duality exemplifies the chapter’s psychological depth, merging the literal darkness of Mount Thunder with Jeremiah’s inner turmoil. It highlights how the external crisis reflects his fractured sense of self.

4. “But the Staff’s possibilities only taunted him. They emphasized all of the things that he could not do.”

A key insight into Jeremiah’s relationship with power—despite wielding the Staff of Law, he feels mocked by his limitations. This quote underscores the chapter’s tension between potential and paralysis.

5. “Maybe Roger had the right idea. Maybe we should all try to become gods.”

This bitter, ironic thought reveals Jeremiah’s nihilistic spiral. It represents both a thematic climax (questioning the value of struggle against inevitability) and a turning point in his internal conflict.

FAQs

1. How does Jeremiah’s emotional state evolve throughout the chapter, and what key factors contribute to his anger and sense of futility?

Answer:
Jeremiah’s emotional state is marked by escalating anger and despair. Initially, he feels abandoned by Covenant and Linden, who have left him with the impossible burden of saving the Earth. His anger stems from their expectations, his perceived inadequacies, and his unresolved trauma from past failures (e.g., failing to save his sisters). He also directs anger inward, hating his “childishness” and feeling useless despite possessing the Staff of Law. The chapter highlights his internal conflict: he resents being asked to perform miracles yet recognizes his own potential. The trembling earth and collapsing Skyweir amplify his hopelessness, mirroring his emotional turmoil. His outbursts to Coldspray and Grueburn reveal his isolation and frustration with their unwavering faith in Covenant, which contrasts sharply with his own disillusionment.

2. Analyze the symbolic significance of darkness in the chapter. How does it reflect Jeremiah’s internal struggle and the broader themes of the narrative?

Answer:
Darkness operates on both literal and metaphorical levels. Literally, Jeremiah sits in “absolute blackness” in the cave, unable to summon light despite having the Staff of Law. This mirrors his inner darkness—his feelings of powerlessness, anger, and existential doubt. The Staff’s failure to produce light symbolizes his inability to reconcile his potential with his self-perceived limitations. Broader themes of impending doom (the Worm’s destruction, the collapsing Arch) are underscored by the darkness, representing the Land’s fading hope. Coldspray’s request for light contrasts with Jeremiah’s resignation, emphasizing the tension between faith and despair. The darkness thus becomes a unifying motif for Jeremiah’s personal crisis and the world’s impending end.

3. What role does the Staff of Law play in Jeremiah’s character arc in this chapter, and how does it highlight his internal conflict?

Answer:
The Staff of Law embodies both Jeremiah’s potential and his inadequacy. Initially, it represents hope—a tool to wield Earthpower and aid his allies. However, his attempts to use it fail, stripping away his “denials and defenses” and exposing his self-doubt. The Staff’s refusal to respond underscores his internalized belief that he is unchanged from the “boy who couldn’t save his sisters.” His frustration peaks when he slams the Staff onto his thighs, a physical manifestation of his anger at being tasked with saving the world. The Staff’s inertness taunts him, emphasizing the gap between his responsibilities and his self-worth. This conflict drives his bitter exchanges with Coldspray and his nihilistic musings about Roger’s “cruel joke” of becoming a god.

4. Compare and contrast the attitudes of Jeremiah and the Giants (Coldspray and Grueburn) toward Covenant’s mission. What does this reveal about their respective worldviews?

Answer:
Jeremiah views Covenant’s mission with cynicism, believing they are “doomed” and that Covenant is “wasting his time.” His anger and trauma color his perspective, leading him to dismiss hope as naivety. In contrast, Coldspray and Grueburn, despite their exhaustion, cling to faith in Covenant. Coldspray explicitly states she will “trust that Linden Giantfriend and Covenant Timewarden will exceed every expectation,” echoing the Haruchai’s unwavering certainty. This contrast highlights Jeremiah’s isolation in his despair, while the Giants exemplify resilience through collective belief. Their request for light—a symbolic gesture of hope—further contrasts with Jeremiah’s refusal to provide it, underscoring the divide between his individualism and their communal fortitude.

5. How does the chapter use physical and environmental decay (e.g., the trembling earth, collapsing Skyweir) to parallel Jeremiah’s psychological state?

Answer:
The chapter’s environmental decay mirrors Jeremiah’s mental collapse. The “subtle trembling of the stone” and the distant collapse of Melenkurion Skyweir reflect his instability and fear of impending doom. He interprets these phenomena as signs of inevitable failure, just as he sees himself as fundamentally inadequate. The “fever” in Mount Thunder’s gutrock parallels his own simmering anger, while the “pall across the Land’s last dusk” symbolizes his lost hope. His warning to the Giants about the shaking floor—a literal threat—doubles as a metaphor for his crumbling resolve. The environment thus externalizes his psyche, reinforcing the theme that personal and global survival are intertwined in the narrative’s climax.